In light of the disaster, Mali has mobilized a crisis unit to assess the unfolding situation, reflective of the broader challenges facing the nation. Recent years have seen Mali embroiled in a cycle of jihadist violence, resulting in coups in 2020 and 2021, with promises of elections yet to be fulfilled as the country grapples with instability.

These desperate attempts to reach Europe are driven by a combination of factors, including rampant unemployment and the impact of climate change on agriculture. For many migrants, the allure of a better life in Europe overshadows the risks involved.

According to the humanitarian organization Caminando Fronteras, over 10,000 people have died attempting the treacherous crossing to Spain from Africa in just this year alone, making it one of the most perilous migrant routes worldwide, with an alarming daily average of 30 fatalities. This perilous journey typically spans from the Atlantic coasts of Mauritania and Morocco to Spain, and many of those descending from sub-Saharan Africa do so in hopes of escaping the harsh realities of poverty and conflict in their home countries.

As geographical proximity narrows, with Morocco lying a mere eight nautical miles from Spain, the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen.